For the first time, we're hearing from the Valley Station woman who survived a deadly hit-and-run.

Joan Hardin and her friend Tracey Stovall were hit by a car earlier this month.

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Stovall was killed.

Hardin was released from a rehab facility and returned home Saturday.

She said she is thankful to be alive and she’s using her life to send a message to the driver that left her and friend laying in the street.

“I think they're cowards. First of all, they left us there (and) didn't try to go help. (They) just left us there to die and they still can't be big enough to turn them self in and say ‘hey it was an accident,’” Hardin said.

As the memorial set up for Stovall on Alanadale Drive grows, the outrage builds.

Hardin was the only the other person who was with Stovall on Sept. 6 when she was killed by a driver.

Hardin said the two were walking home from a nearby gas station, when they were hit from behind.

"The only thing I remember is me and her was cutting up. I took a drink of my Polar Pop and the next thing I remember is waking up and there was all kinds of lights around me," she said.

Hardin is currently in a wheelchair, unable to walk.

"I've got a broken back, broken ribs, broken hip, so it's going to take me some time to heal," Hardin said.

The investigation into the deadly hit-and-run has united the community.

Neighbor Tim Childers started a reward fund to help with the search for the driver who did not stop to help Hardin and Stovall.

With donations from local businesses and others, a $5,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest.

"When I found out what happened, especially being out in front of my house, I took it personal,” Childers said. "We want an answer to who this person is and why they did it."